Nursing: Managerial Theories

Organizations continue to undergo radical changes to enhance their overall effectiveness. Managerial theories are readily employed by organizations further demonstrating the most effective and efficient ways in which to motivate employees and improve organizational operations. This paper seeks to examine three managerial theories including the theory of bureaucratic management theory, modern management theory, and neoclassical management theory. Areas of overlap as well as elements of differences will be identified across all three managerial theories. By comparing and contrasting the theory of bureaucratic management theory, modern management theory, and neoclassical management theory says within a given organization, nurses must augment their management and leadership to meet their organizational goals.

Although the theory of bureaucratic management, modern management theory, and neoclassical management theory all serve as managerial theories, these theories are also inherently different. The theory of bureaucratic management uses guidelines as well as structuring procedures to manage a given organization (Kitana, 2016) Bureaucratic management within an organization focuses on a hierarchical structure based on authority, the division of labor alongside other procedures and rules (Kitana, 2016; Sarker & Khan, 2013). People in nursing management hold positions of authority, which allow them the opportunity to make decisions that shape the healthcare organization (Buchbinder & Shanks, 2017). In accordance with the policies and regulations set forth by organizations, the theory of bureaucratic management posit that employees conform to behavior. This yields consistently favorable behaviors from all employees, no overlapping in an employees’ job duties, role, or responsibility (Kitana, 2016). Employees who are not perplexed about their job-related obligations demonstrate a heightened level of productivity (Kitana, 2016). When an organization is bureaucratic, the organization exists independently of the employee (Kitana, 2016). As a result, the organization will continue to grow and develop regardless of employee retention and recidivism (Kitana, 2016). Despite such benefits, bureaucratic organizations may be time consuming and inefficient relative to its operations (Kitana, 2016). Due to the previously established rules and regulations in bureaucratic organizations, the organization does not exercise individual judgment further hampering employee creativity, growth, and development (Kitana, 2016).

Contrary to the theory of bureaucratic management, modern management theory has a rather complicated employee view (Kitana, 2016). Kitana (2016) further posit that organizational manpower is indicative of the varying aspirations, needs, perspectives, and potentials from their employees. Instead of pre-established, uniform policies, rules, and regulations as set forth by bureaucratic organizations, modern management theory customizes such principles. Unlike employees that report decreased creativity, growth, and development in bureaucratic organizations, organizations that utilize modern management theory tend to prevent employees from losing their potentials (Kitana, 2016). Modern management theory confirms that one given managerial strategy is applicable to all employees at all times (Kitana, 2016).

Analogous to the modern management theory and contrary to the theory of bureaucratic management, the neoclassical management theory is a human-oriented managerial strategy (Kitana, 2016). Neoclassical management theory, therefore, highlights the attitudes, behaviors, driving forces, and time needs of a given individual particularly an employee (Kitana, 2016). Hence, the neoclassical management theory supports the notion that the organizations must focus on an individual employees’ needs as well as their aspirations, attitudes, and driving forces as observed by organizations that employ the use of modern management theory to optimize their potential within the organization.

References

Buchbinder, S. B, & Shanks, N. H. (2017). Introduction to health care management (3rd ed.). Burlington, MA: Jones & Bartlett Learning.

Kitana, A. (2016). Overview of the managerial thoughts and theories from the history: Classical management theory to modern management theory. Indian Journal of Management Science, 6(1), 16-21.

Sarker, S. I., & Khan, M. R. A. (2013). Classical and neoclassical approaches of management: An overview. IOSR Journal of Business and Management, 14(6), 1-5.